La Crosse Technology DCF-77 Owner's manual

Brand: La Crosse Technology

Model: DCF-77

Category: Weather stations

Type: Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

WIRELESS 868 MHz WEATHER STATION

Instructions Manual

INTRODUCTION:

Congratulations on purchasing this Weather Station with wireless 868 MHz transmission of outdoor

temperature and display of indoor temperature and humidity, weather forecast icons and weather tendency

indicators. It is further featuring a DCF-77 radio controlled clock with calendar display. With only four easy to

use function keys, this innovative product is ideal for use in the home or office.

« Instant Transmission+» is the up and coming state-of-the-art new

wireless transmission technology, exclusively designed and developed

by LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY.

“IT +” offers you an immediate update of all your outdoor data measured

from the transmitters: follow your climatic variations in real-time!

The Weather Station

Battery Cover

Hanging Hole

Detachable Stand

LCD Display

Function

Keys

FEATURES:

WEATHER STATION

• DCF-77 Radio controlled time with manual setting options

• Time reception ON/OFF

• 12/24 hour display

• Hour and minute display, seconds indicated by flashing dot

• Time zone option ±12hours

• Date and month calendar display

• Weather forecasting with 3 weather icons and weather tendency indicator

• Weather forecasting icon sensitivity setting

• Temperature display in degrees Celsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F) selectable

• Indoor and outdoor temperature display with MIN/MAX recording

• Indoor humidity reading displayed as RH% with MIN/MAX recordings

• All MIN/MAX temperature recordings show date and time received

• All MIN/MAX recordings can be reset

• Indoor comfort level indicator - happy or sad face icons

• Can take up to three outdoor transmitters

• LCD contrast setting

• Low battery indicator

• Wireless transmission at 868 MHz

• Signal reception intervals at 4 seconds

• Wall mounting or table standing

THE OUTDOOR TRANSMITTER

• Remote transmission of outdoor temperature to weather station by 868

MHz signal

• Wall mounting case

• Mounting at a sheltered place. Avoid direct rain and sunshine

SETTING UP:

WHEN ONE TRANSMITTER IS USED

1. First, insert the batteries in the transmitter (see “How to install and replace batteries in the

Temperature Transmitter” below).

2. Within 2 minutes of powering up the transmitter, insert the batteries in the Temperature Station

(see “How to install and replace batteries in the Weather Station” below). Once the

batteries are in place, all segments of the LCD will light up briefly and a short signal tone will

sound. Following the indoor temperature/humidity and the time as 0:00 will be displayed. If

these information are not displayed on the LCD after 60 seconds, remove the batteries and

wait for at least 60 seconds before reinserting them. Once the indoor data is displayed user

may proceed to the next step.

3. After the batteries are inserted, the Weather station will start receiving data signal from the

transmitter. The outdoor temperature data should then be displayed on the Weather station. If

this does not happen after 2 minutes, the batteries will need to be removed from both units and

reset from step 1.

4. In order to ensure sufficient 868 MHz transmission however, the distance between the Weather

Station and the transmitter should not be more than 100 meters (see notes on “Positioning” and

“868 MHz Reception”).

Note:

In the event of changing batteries of the units, ensure the batteries do not spring free from the contacts.

Always wait at least 1 minute after removing the batteries before reinserting, otherwise start up and

transmission problems may occur.

WHEN MORE THAN ONE TRANSMITTER IS USED

1. User shall remove all the batteries from the Weather Station and transmitters, and wait 60 seconds.

2. Insert the batteries in the first transmitter.

3. Within 2 minutes of powering up the first transmitter, insert the batteries in the Weather Station. Once

the batteries are in place, all segments of the LCD will light up briefly and a short signal tine will

sound. Following the indoor temperature/humidity and the time as 0:00 will be displayed. If these

information are not displayed on the LCD after 60 seconds, remove the batteries from both units and

wait for at least 60 seconds before reinserting them.

4. The outdoor temperature data from the first transmitter (channel 1) should then be displayed on the

Weather Station. Also, the signal reception icon will be displayed. If this does not happen after 2

minutes, the batteries will need to be removed from both units and reset from step 1.

5. Insert the batteries in the second transmitter as soon as the outdoor temperature readings from the

first transmitter are displayed on the Weather Station.

Note : User shall insert the batteries into the second transmitter within 45 seconds after the Weather

Station displays the information of the first transmitter.

6. The outdoor temperature from the second transmitter and the "channel 2" icon should then be

displayed on the Weather Station. If this does not happen after 2 minutes, the batteries will need to

be removed from all the units and reset from step 1.

7. Insert the batteries in the third transmitter as soon as the "channel 2" icon and outdoor data are

displayed on the Weather Station. Then within 2 minutes, the channel 3 outdoor data from the third

transmitter will be displayed and the channel icon will shift back to "1" once the third transmitter is

successfully received. If this is not happen, user shall restart the setting up from step 1.

Note : User shall insert the batteries into the third transmitter within 45 seconds after the Weather

Station displays the information of the first transmitter. Or immediately after reception of the second

transmitter is finished.

8. In order to ensure sufficient 868 MHz transmission however, the distance between the Weather

Station and the transmitter should not be more than 100 meters (see notes on “Positioning” and

“868 MHz Reception”).

IMPORTANT:

Transmission problems will arise if the setting for additional sensors is not followed as described above.

Should transmission problems occur, it is necessary to remove the batteries from all units and start again

the set-up from step 1.

HOW TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE WEATHER STATION

The Weather Station uses 2 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V batteries. If the batteries

need to be replaced, the low battery symbol will appear on the LCD.

To install and replace the batteries, please follow the steps below:

1. Insert finger or other solid object in the space at the bottom center

of the battery compartment and lift up to remove the cover.

2. Insert batteries observing the correct polarity (see marking).

3. Replace compartment cover.

HOW TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER

The Temperature Transmitter uses 2 x AA, IECLR6, 1.5V batteries. To install and replace the batteries,

please follow the steps below:

1. Slide the battery cover downwards and remove.

2. Insert the batteries, observing the correct polarity (see marking).

3. Replace the battery cover.

Note:

In the event of changing batteries in any of the units, all units need to be reset by

following the setting up procedures. This is because a random security code is

assigned by the transmitter at start-up and this code must be received and stored by

the Weather Station in the first three minutes of power being supplied to it.

BATTERY CHANGE:

It is recommended to replace the batteries in all units on an annual basis to ensure optimum accuracy of

these units.

Please participate in the preservation of the environment. Return used batteries to an

authorized depot.

FUNCTION KEYS:

Weather Station:

The weather station has four easy

to use function keys.

Setting

Indoor Outdoor

Channel

SET key (Setting)

• Used to enter the set mode for the following functions: LCD contrast, Time zone, Time Reception

ON/OFF, 12/24 hour display, Manual time, Year, Date, °C/°F, and Weather forecasting icon sensitivity

settings.

• The year can only be displayed in the set mode (not displayed in normal mode)

IN key (Indoor)

• Used to toggle between the current/ minimum / maximum indoor temperature and humidity

• Press for over 3 seconds to reset the indoor maximum and minimum temperature and humidity

records (will reset all records to current level)

Note: the Time/date information is only available for MIN/MAX temperature data, and will be changed

to default time after the reset operation

• Change LCD contrast, time zone, Time Reception ON/OFF, 12/24 hour display, hour, year, month,

day, °C/°F and weather forecasting icon sensitivity units in setting modes

Note: in 24hr time display mode, the day is set by using the IN key. In 12hr time display mode, the

month is set by using the IN key

OUT key (Outdoor)

• Used to toggle between the current / minimum / maximum outdoor temperature

• Press for around 3 seconds to reset the outdoor maximum and minimum temperature records (will

reset all temperatures to current level of the relative transmitter being reset - each transmitter’s data

must be reset separately)

Note: the time/date information of MIN/MAX data will be reset to default time as well.

• Change minute, month, day in setting modes

Note: in 24hr time display mode, the month is set by using the OUT key. In 12hr time display mode,

the day is set by using the OUT key

CH key (Channel)

• Toggle between the outdoor Temperature Transmitters 1, 2 and 3 (if more than 1 transmitter is used)

• Exit manual setting mode

LCD SCREEN

DCF Tower Icon

(for time reception)

Weather Tendency Icon

Date

Weather Forecast Icon

Indoor Relative Humidity %

Comfort indicator icon

Outdoor reception signal*

Indoor Temperature

in °C or °F

Outdoor Temperature

in °C or °F

Month

Outdoor transmitter

Identification number

Low battery indicator

(transmitter)

Low battery indicator

(weather station)

Time

* When the signal is successfully received by the Weather Station, the outdoor transmission icon will be

switched on. (If not successful, the icon will not be shown on LCD). The user can then easily see whether

the last reception was successful (icon on) or not (icon off). On the other hand, the short blinking of the icon

shows that a reception is currently taking place.

DCF-77 RADIO CONTROLLED TIME

The time base for the radio-controlled time is a Cesium Atomic Clock operated by the Physikalisch

Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig which has a time deviation of less than one second in one million

years. The time is coded and transmitted from Mainflingen near Frankfurt via frequency signal DCF-77

(77.5 kHz) and has a transmitting range of approximately 1,500 km. Your radio-controlled Weather Station

receives this signal and converts it to show the precise time in summer or wintertime.

The quality of the reception depends greatly on the geographic location. In normal cases, there should be no

reception problems within a 1500km radius of Frankfurt.

Once the outdoor temperature is displayed on the Weather station, the DCF tower icon in the clock display

will start flashing in the upper left corner. This indicates that the clock has detected that there is a radio

signal present and is trying to receive it. When the time code is received, the DCF tower becomes

permanently lit and the time will be displayed.

DCF reception is done twice daily at 02:00 and 03:00 am. If the reception is not successful at 02:00 am, then

the next reception takes place the next hour and so on until 06:00am, or until the reception is successful. If

the reception is not successful at 06:00 am, then the next attempt will take place the next day at 02:00 am.

If the tower icon flashes, but does not set the time or the DCF tower does not appear at all, then please take

note of the following:

• Recommended distance to any interfering sources like computer monitors or TV sets is a minimum of

1.5 - 2 meters.

• Within ferro-concrete rooms (basements, superstructures), the received signal is naturally weakened.

In extreme cases, please place the unit close to a window and/ or point its front or back towards the

Frankfurt transmitter.

• During nighttime, the atmospheric disturbances are usually less severe and reception is possible in

most cases. A single daily reception is adequate to keep the accuracy deviation below 1 second.

MANUAL SETTINGS

The following manual settings can be changed when pressing the SET key for:

• LCD contrast setting

• Time zone setting

• Time reception ON/OFF setting

• 12/24-Hour setting

• Manual time setting

• Calendar setting

• Snooze setting

• °C/°F setting

• Weather forecasting icon sensitivity setting

LCD CONTRAST SETTING:

LCD (flashing)

The LCD contrast can be set to 8 different levels to suit the users needs (default LCD contrast setting is LCD

5). To set the desired contrast level:

1. Press the IN key to select the level of contrast desired.

2. Press the SET key to confirm and enter the “Time Zone setting” or exit the setting mode by

pressing the CH key

TIME ZONE SETTING

Time Zone (flashing)

The time zone default of the Weather Station is 0. To change to another time zone:

1. Press the SET key after completing the LCD contrast setting in order to enter the time zone setting

(flashing).

2. Using the IN key, set the time zone. The range runs from 0 to +12 and then runs from -12 back to 0 in

consecutive 1 hour intervals.

3. Press the SET key to confirm and enter the “Time Reception ON/OFF setting” or exit the setting

mode by pressing the CH key.

TIME RECEPTION ON/OFF SETTING

Flashing

In area where reception of the DCF-77 time is not possible, the DCF-77 time reception function can be

turned OFF. The clock will then work as a normal Quartz clock. (Default setting is ON).

1. The digit “ON” will start flashing on the LCD.

2. Use the IN key to turn OFF the time reception function.

3. Confirm with the SET key and enter the “12/24-Hour Display setting” or exit the setting mode by

pressing the CH key

Note:

If the Time Reception function is turned OFF manually, the clock will not attempt any reception of

the DCF time as long as the Time Reception OFF function is activated. The Time Reception icon will

not be displayed on the LCD.

12/24 HOUR TIME DISPLAY SETTING

Flashing

1. After setting time reception ON/OFF, press the SET key, “12h” or “24h” flashes in the LCD.

2. Press the IN key to select the “12h” or “24h” display mode.

3. Press the SET again to confirm and to enter the “Manual Time setting” or exit the setting mode by

pressing the CH key

Note: When 24h mode display is selected, the calendar format will be date and month display.

When 12h mode display is selected, the calendar format will be month and date display.

MANUAL TIME SETTING

Minutes (flashing)

Hours (flashing)

In case the Weather Station is not able to detect the DCF-signal (disturbances, transmitting distance, etc.),

the time can be manually set. The clock will then work as a normal Quartz clock.

To set the clock:

1. The hour and minutes digits start flashing in the time display section.

2. Use the IN key to adjust the hours and the OUT key to adjust the minutes. If you hold the key while

you adjust, the hours move 1 hour and the minutes move 5 minutes.

3. Confirm with the SET key and enter the “Calendar Setting” or exit the setting mode by pressing the

CH key

Note:

The unit will still try and receive the signal despite it being manually set. When it does receive the signal, it

will change the manually set time into the received time. During reception attempts the DCF tower icon will

flash. If reception has been unsuccessful, then the DCF tower icon will not appear but reception will still be

attempted the following day.

CALENDAR SETTING:

Year (flashing) Date (flashing) Month (flashing)

The date default of the Weather station is 1. 1. of the year 2006. Once the radio-controlled time signals are

received, the date is automatically updated. However, if the signals are not received, the date can also be

set manually. To do this:

1. Using the IN key, set the year required. The range runs from 2006 to 2039 (default is 2006).

2. Press the SET key to enter the month and date setting mode.

3. Press the IN (or OUT) key to set the date and the OUT (or IN) key to set the month required.

4. Confirm with the SET key and enter the “Snooze setting ” or exit the setting mode by pressing the

CH key.

SNOOZE SETTING

Important:

The snooze setting in this Weather Station will not have any effect in this unit performance. This

feature is only available in enhance model with alarm function. Simply press the SET key to skip this

setting and enter the “°C/°F setting” or exit the setting mode by pressing the CH key.

Flashing

°C/°F SETTING:

The default temperature reading is set to °C (degree Celsius). To select °F (degree Fahrenheit):

1. The “°C” will be flashing, use the IN key to toggle between “°C” and “°F”.

2. Once the desired temperature unit has been chosen, confirm with the SET key and enter the

“Weather Forecast Icon Sensitivity setting” or exit the setting mode by pressing the CH key.

WEATHER FORECASTING ICON SENSITIVITY SETTING

For locations with rapid changes of weather conditions, the threshold can be set to a different level for faster

display of weather conditions.

Flashing

1. Using the IN key to set the weather sensitivity level. There are 3 levels of setting: 1, 2 and 3; level 1 is

the most sensitive setting, level 3 is the least sensitive setting (default setting is "2").

2. Confirm with the SET key and exit the Manual settings.

WEATHER FORECAST AND TENDENCY

THE WEATHER FORECASTING ICONS

There are 3 weather icons on the third section of the LCD which can be displayed in any of the following

combinations:

Sunny Cloudy with sunny intervals Rainy

For every sudden or significant change in the air pressure, the weather icons will update accordingly to

represent the change in weather. If the icons do not change, then it means either the air pressure has not

changed or the change has been too slow for the Weather Station to register. However, if the icon displayed

is a sun or raining cloud, there will be no change of icon if the weather gets any better (with sunny icon) or

worse (with rainy icon) since the icons are already at their extremes.

The icons displayed forecasts the weather in terms of getting better or worse and not necessarily sunny or

rainy as each icon indicates. For example, if the current weather is cloudy and the rainy icon is displayed, it

does not mean that the product is faulty because it is not raining. It simply means that the air pressure has

dropped and the weather is expected to get worse but not necessarily rain.

Note:

After setting up, readings for weather forecast should be disregarded for the next 12-24 hours. This will allow

sufficient time for the Weather Station to collect air pressure data at a constant altitude and therefore result

in an more accurate forecast.

Common to weather forecasting, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The weather forecasting feature

is estimated to have an accuracy level of about 75% due to the varying areas the Weather Station has been

designed for use in. In areas that experience sudden changes in weather (for example from sunny to rain),

the Weather Station will be more accurate compared to use in areas where the weather is stagnant most of

the time (for example mostly sunny).

If the Weather Station is moved to another location significantly higher or lower than its initial standing point

(for example from the ground floor to the first floor of a house), remove the batteries and re-insert them after

about 30 seconds. By doing this, the Weather Station will not mistake the new location as being a possible

change in air-pressure when really it is due to the slight change of altitude. Again, disregard weather

forecasts for the next 12 to 24 hours as this will allow time for operation at a constant altitude.

THE WEATHER TENDENCY INDICATOR

Working together with the weather icons are the weather tendency indicators (located on the left and right

hand side of the weather icons). When the indicator points upwards, it means that the air-pressure is

increasing and the weather is expected to improve, but when indicator points downwards, the air-pressure is

dropping and the weather is expected to become worse.

Taking this into account, one can see how the weather has changed and is expected to change. For

example, if the indicator is pointing downwards together with cloud and sun icons, then the last noticeable

change in the weather was when it was sunny (the sun icon only). Therefore, the next change in the weather

will be cloud with rain icons since the indicator is pointing downwards.

Note:

Once the weather tendency indicator has registered a change in air pressure, it will remain permanently

visualized on the LCD.

INDOOR TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY READING WITH COMFORT LEVEL

INDICATOR

Minimum display

Comfort level symbol

Indoor Temperature

in °C/°F

Indoor Relative

Humidity %

The indoor temperature and humidity are detected automatically and displayed on the fourth section of the

LCD.

THE COMFORT LEVEL INDICATORS

Comfortable: A happy face icon “☺” indicating a temperature level between 20.0°C and 25.9°C (68°F

to 78.6°F) and humidity between 45% and 65%.

Uncomfortable: A sad face icon “” indicating any value outside the comfortable range.

TOGGLING AND RESETTING THE INDOOR RECORDINGS

1. To toggle between the indoor current, minimum and maximum temperature and humidity data and the

times at which they were recorded, press the IN key:

Once to show the minimum temperature and humidity values with time and date recorded

Twice to show the maximum temperature and humidity values with time and date recorded

Three times to return to the current time, date, temperature and humidity levels.

Note: the Time/date information is only available for the MIN/MAX temperature data.

2. To reset the minimum and maximum temperature and humidity data and the times at which they were

recorded, press the IN key continuously for about 3 seconds. This will reset all minimum and

maximum data recorded to the current time, date, temperature and humidity.

OUTDOOR TEMPERATURE

Maximum Display

Outdoor Temperature

in °C or °F

Outdoor reception signal

Number showing the

transmitter unit (only if

there is more than one

transmitter)

The fifth LCD section shows the outdoor temperature and a reception signal. A number beside the

temperature will also show if more than one transmitter is used.

TOGGLING AND RESETTING THE OUTDOOR RECORDINGS:

1. To toggle between the outdoor current, minimum and maximum temperature data and the times at

which they were recorded, press the OUT key:

Once to show the minimum temperature value with time and date recorded

Twice to show the maximum temperature value with time and date recorded

Three times to return to the current time, date and temperature level

2. To toggle between transmitters, press the CH key:

Once to show transmitter 2

Twice to show transmitter 3

Three times to return to transmitter 1

Note: The transmitter number will only be displayed if there is more than one transmitter detected.

3. To reset the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature data and the times at which they were

recorded, press the OUT key continuously for about 3 seconds. This will reset all minimum and

maximum data recorded to the current time, date and temperature.

Note: the MIN/MAX data for each transmitter needs to be reset separately.

TO VIEW THE MIN/MAX DATA FROM DIFFERENT TRANSMITTERS

When more than 1 transmitter used:

1. To toggle between transmitters, press the CH key:

Once to show transmitter 2

Twice to show transmitter 3

Three times to return to transmitter 1

2. Use OUT key to view the MIN/MAX temperature and humidity data for the selected transmitter.

3. To reset the minimum and maximum temperature and humidity data, and the times at which

they were recorded, press the OUT key continuously for about 3 seconds. This will reset the

MIN/MAX data recorded to the current time, date, temperature and humidity.

Note: the MIN/MAX data for each transmitter needs to be reset separately.

LOW BATTERY INDICATOR

Low battery indicator is displayed on the LCD when the batteries require changing.

TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER

The outdoor temperature is measured and transmitted every 4 seconds.

The range of the Temperature transmitter may be affected by the temperature. At cold temperatures the

transmitting distance may be decreased. Please bear this in mind when placing the transmitter.

868 MHz RECEPTION:

If the outdoor temperature data is not being received within three minutes after setting up (or outdoor display

always show “- -. -” in the outdoor section of the Weather station during normal operation), please check the

following points:

1. The distance of the Weather Station or transmitter should be at least 1.5 to 2 meters away from any

interfering sources such as computer monitors or TV sets.

2. Avoid placing the receiver onto or in the immediate proximity of metal window frames.

3. Using other electrical products such as headphones or speakers operating on the same signal

frequency (868MHz) may prevent correct signal transmission and reception.

4. Neighbors using electrical devices operating on the 868 MHz signal frequency can also cause

interference.

Note:

When the 868MHz signal is received correctly, do not re-open the battery covers of either the transmitter or

Weather Station, as the batteries may spring free from the contacts and force a false reset. Should this

happen accidentally then reset all units (see Setting up above) otherwise transmission problems may occur.

The transmission range is about 100 m from the transmitter to the Weather Station (in open space).

However, this depends on the surrounding environment and interference levels. If no reception is possible

despite the observation of these factors, all system units have to be reset (see Setting up).

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La Crosse Technology DCF-77 Owner's manual

Brand: La Crosse Technology

Model: DCF-77

Category: Weather stations

Type: Owner's manual

This manual is also suitable for

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La Crosse Technology DCF-77 Owner's manual

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La Crosse Technology DCF-77 Owner's manual

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